You are using an outdated browser For a better experience using this site, please upgrade to a modern web browser. Subscribe Get Daily Email Subscribe --> Contact Us Sign in Home News & Features Compliance Costs Bunker Prices Bunker Intelligence EMEA News Latest Features World Americas EMEA Asia/Pacific Home News & Features EMEA Damen Secures Approval for Methanol-Ready Tug Design Damen Secures Approval for Methanol-Ready Tug Design by Ship & Bunker News Team Wednesday May 20, 2026 Tweet Follow @shipandbunker The tug design has secured class and flag state approval for methanol operation. Image Credit: Damen Damen Shipyards Group has received approval from Bureau Veritas and the Netherlands flag state for its fuel-flexible tug design suitable for conversion to methanol propulsion. The approval allows Damen to build methanol-ready tugs equipped with methanol tanks and reserved space for future propulsion upgrades, Damen said in a statement on its website on Tuesday . The ASD Tug 2713 FF is designed for harbour and coastal operations including terminal support, escort, firefighting and pollution control duties. Damen said the vessels can initially operate on diesel or 100% HVO biofuel before later conversion to methanol or hybrid-electric propulsion, depending on market conditions and fuel availability. The company added that existing methanol class rules are mainly written for larger ships, requiring a risk-based approval approach for compact tug designs. Ship & Bunker News Team To contact the editor responsible for this story email us at [email protected] Also in the News Energy-Harvesting Ship Design Wins RINA Approval DRIFT Energy has secured class approval for a vessel concept designed to produce hydrogen at sea. Read in Full Container Line ONE Sees 5% Increase in Bunker Consumption in 2025/6 The firm consumed a total of 3.95 million mt of bunker fuel in the year to March 31. Read in Full Hapag-Lloyd and Kuehne+Nagel Collaborate on Low-Carbon